[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/FaCzAxe.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/1Hvat1r.png[/img] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjExNi5lNzA4ZjMuUlhabGJIbHViaUJCYm00Z1UyVnlaVzVsYkdsbmFIUSwuMA,,/georganodemo.regular.webp[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/YkGhDeq.png[/img][/center] [center][h1]CATTY COLLAB[/h1][/center] ”This isn’t a fucking dictatorship! You can’t just decide if we’ll work with them or not. You can work with them if you want, but as a group we gotta vote. Don’t you dare decide that we need their help because you want to keep your own ass protected. We decide that as a group.” Lynn quickly raised her hands as if she could calm down the fires that were coming out of Linqian with that alone. She had to know she was not trying to speak for the whole group. Lynn simply wanted to try and get the feds off their back for a while after this shit show, and she knew the easiest way to do that was to put on a show of her own and offer their leader some fake respect. [color=F08080]“Linqian,”[/color] Lynn started as she flashed a quick smile, [color=F08080]“can we talk about this in a sec-”[/color] Lynn cut her words off as she watched as Linqian’s eyes narrowed. “You haven’t even lost anyone, so fucking back off.” Lynn felt the heat of frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior as Linqian's assertions clashed against her ears. Haven’t lost anyone? She took a deep breath, attempting to rein in the emotions that threatened to spill over and out of her. Linqian must’ve forgotten. Linqian must’ve forgotten that Lynn has lost everyone up to this point. Her parents, her brothers, her sister, and everyone else on her father’s side of the family. Linqian must have also forgotten all the friends she then lost in the battle with the Stygian Snake. She has lost more than most people here. And yet Linqian, of all people, forgot. A conflict began to brew deep within her mind. She wanted to, no, she needed to remind Linqian that she did lose people too, so all she was trying to do was protect the family she found within the coven. This conflict intensified as she grappled with the balance between expressing her past without calling Linqian a cunt in the process. For a moment, Lynn's eyes reflected a subtle sadness, a shadow of the losses she carried within. She remembered the emptiness, the void left by her family, the sadness that each casket left behind, and the deep yearning for a family that had made her fall in love with the people important to her in this coven. Did Linqian not care? Did Linqian not realize that Lila, and Jasper, were the only family she had left in this godforsaken town? Why would she, of all people, make a comment like that? Sure, working with the Feds after they just attacked them was not a move Lynn [i]wanted[/i] to do. In truth, all she wanted in this moment was to go get drunk and forget this attack ever happened. But with yet another name soon-to-be added to the mural, and no solution in sight from anyone else, Lynn wanted to at least get some assurance that they would have some protection if Father Wolf was discovered and they needed help. The realization that her commitment to helping the coven might not be reciprocated stoked dormant anger within her. Lynn raised her hands in a calming gesture, but her mind still raced. She considered the fragile bonds that held the group together, understanding that decisions needed to be collaborative, and understanding that she stepped out of line with her suggestions. She could not, and should not, speak on behalf of everyone. She remembered that’s what she disliked about the coven before and she walked herself right into the same mistake even if she intended to play nice with the feds to get something in return. But Linqian's comment about loss struck a nerve, reopening wounds Lynn had fought to keep closed. And there was no amount of alcohol in the area that could keep it closed in this moment. Instead, she focused on her breathing in an attempt to ground herself and prevent a meltdown. After a few seconds, she felt those feelings begin to simmer down. She felt like she could continue without worrying about a potential meltdown. She felt like she could explain what she was trying to do. She had to keep up the illusion that she was okay. [color=F08080]"Linqian,"[/color] Lynn began, her voice still composed, [color=F08080]"you’re right. Fuck, I’m sorry, I just wanted to look out for everyon-"[/color]her voice cut out suddenly. In Lynn’s mind, the desire to find common ground, to bridge the gap, or to make Linqian see what she was trying to do faded away. The subtle sadness in her eyes gradually transformed into anger as Linqian's words persisted. The images of her lost family flashed in Lynn's mind, intensifying the surge of emotion within her. The desire to protect her newfound family clashed with the frustration of her past being forgotten. Lynn's composure slipped, and her forced smile gave way to a pained look. Her family was buried in this town. A fifteen-minute drive down the road and they would be at the very cemetery that was a fixture of her younger years. Would Linqian even care? How could someone like Linqian even say something like that? [color=F08080]“On second thought Linqian,”[/color]Lynn started as she waved her hands in the air as a single tear fell down her face, [color=F08080]“fuck you. I haven’t lost anyone? Anyone,”[/color] A second tear began to stream down her face, and then a third. It was too late to stop it now. Lynn knew this and she knew that she had to get away from the group before she said something she would regret. Linqian’s words cut deep, and Lynn wanted to hurt her back. And before she could take a step, she blurted out [color=F08080]“I am glad Father Wolf took Jinhai from you, you deserve as much.”[/color] As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized what she had said and took a step back as even more tears began to flow. [color=CD5C5C]”What did you just say?”[/color] Linqian bit out, quieter than before, but with each word punctuated by the intense anger she’d been trying to suppress. How dare she? There were some things Linqian could accept. If Lynn said it should have been her and not Jinhai? Fine. But that she deserved this? That he [i]deserved[/i] to be killed. [color=CD5C5C]”Go on, say it again.”[/color] Linqian knew that she wouldn’t. Her hands clenched and unclenched at her side, jaw tensing and rage marring her face. [color=CD5C5C]”You think that Jinhai deserved to fucking die? That it’s good that he’s dead? Fuck. You. He was all that I had.”[/color] With each word she got angrier, chest heaving up and down. Her temperature ticked up and up, until she was bathed in a deadly yellow glow, burning as hot as her anger. She wanted so badly to hurt Lynn just like she’d hurt her, but Jinhai would- Jinhai was dead. [color=CD5C5C]”You piece of fucking shit, I’m going to make you wish Father Wolf killed you instead, you fucking asshole.”[/color] With no one to hold her back, Linqian stormed over to Lynn. With one hand she grabbed her by the collar, getting close enough that Lynn could feel the boiling heat radiating off of her. [color=CD5C5C]”And keep my brother’s name out of your fucking mouth.”[/color] Blinded by rage, Linqian slapped Lynn with a burning hand right across the cheek. Before she had a chance to get another swing in, Maximilian had appeared in a sudden burst of speed and grabbed her by the bicep, and yanked her backward. “... That’s enough!” Maximilian shouted, unbothered by Linqian’s heat. Lynn stumbled backward after the burning strike smashed across her face. She stood still for just a brief moment as the burning sensation began to radiate across her cheek. Her eyes were locked onto the ground below, the anger that had populated them had ceased to exist for just a brief moment as Lynn registered what just happened. [color=F08080]“You just hit me,”[/color] she whispered, [color=F08080]“you fucking bitch you just hit me.”[/color] Her head quickly darted back to Linqian’s, eyes alight with rage once more, as her hand gently touched the burnt cheek and she winced in pain. Any thought of the disparity in power between the two quickly disappeared from her mind as her vision tunneled onto Linqian's face. She did not care if Linqian would win in a fight when powers got involved, Lynn wanted to hit her back. She tried to take a step forward but she felt someone’s arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back and away from continuing the fight. She shot her head around and saw that Lila was the one pulling her away. [color=F08080]“Lila let me-”[/color]Lynn’s words were cut off as Lila threw her weight into the pull, flipping Lynn around and forcing her to look the complete opposite way. [color=F08080]“That bitch deserved to-“[/color] “Lynn, the fuck,” Lila said she pushed her back another few steps. Lila was angry and her anger was currently directed at Lynn. [color=F08080]“That cunt deserves it,”[/color] Lynn shouted towards Linqian, [color=F08080]“she fucking started it, let me go so I can finish it.”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”You fucking bitch!”[/color] Linqian shouted back, struggling to try and get to Lynn to continue the fight - barely registering who was holding her back. [color=CD5C5C]”You fucking started it, but I’ll fucking end you! Let me at her!”[/color] She bared her teeth at Lynn, kicking out ferociously with little care for what damage she did in her desperation to burn Lynn until she begged her to stop. [color=CD5C5C]”I’ll make you wish you were dead, you fuck! I bet you fucking saw his death and didn’t stop it! You’re the fucking worst, you fucking cunt!”[/color] [color=F08080]“Of course I saw his death,”[/color] Lynn shouted back with a laugh. Jasper had moved into the middle and was trying to use his frame to block their sight of each other, and to grab if anyone broke free. [color=F08080]“I’ve seen everyone here die a hundred times,”[/color] she paused as she shot her head to the side to catch a glimpse of Linqian, [color=F08080]“and I’ll smile as I watch you die a hundred times more!”[/color] [color=CD5C5C]”Too bad you won’t fucking be able to!”[/color] Linqian twisted herself to see Lynn, glaring at her in the hope she could burn her like that. [color=CD5C5C]”I’ll kill you before you do- Watch my death all you want, it’s the only joy you’re going to get in your fucking pitiful life, I don’t give a fuck, you fucking murder voyeur, but you should have. Stopped. His! It’s your fault. His death is your fault, you sick fuck!”[/color] Lynn shook her head as Lila forced her back even further. [color=F08080]“Would you have even believed me? Would he have believed me? And where were you when he died, why the fuck weren’t-“[/color] “... And you all stopped the Stygian Snake? [i]You all?[/i]” Meifeng asked, bending forward to let out a bout of laughter. “You all seem just about ready to tear each other’s throats out. [i]So color me [b]amazed[/b].[/i]” Linqian temporarily stopped struggling against Maximilian’s grip to snap her head at Meifeng. [color=CD5C5C]”You shut the fuck up about things you don’t know about! People [i]died[/i] fighting that thing. Stay the fuck out of it!”[/color] “Oh, I know [i]everything,[/i]” Meifeng answered. Lynn stopped her fight against Lila’s hold on her as she slowly shifted her gaze towards Meifeng, [color=F08080]“I don’t remember asking you a god damn thing, isn’t there another peaceful meeting across town that you have to fuck over?“[/color] “Well, I’ll just go grab some popcorn,” Meifeng just shrugged. “Continue doing that serial killer’s job for them.” [color=CD5C5C]”Hey,”[/color] Linqian’s head snapped back to Lynn, completely ignoring Meifeng now she’d told her to shut the fuck up. Her anger turned back to the person who’d caused it - the fed boss was right, Lynn [i]was[/i] doing Father Wolf’s work for him. [color=CD5C5C]”You shut the fuck up to. You think I wanted to be fucking away? You think I wanted to come home to see him dead? Fuck. You. Maybe you saw the future where I was away and told the fucking killer! Jinhai’s blood is on your hands more than mine!”[/color] [color=F08080]“My hands? My hands?? You’re fucking delusional if you think I had anything to do with his death, and how fucking dare you accuse me of that. But yeah, by how much you bring it up I think you were happy you were away when he died, because now you get to be the center of attention any god damn time you want. My whole family is dead because of our goddamn curse and you don’t hear me bring it up every other god damn sentence you selfish cunt.”[/color] Linqian froze, chest constricting as Lynn’s words [i]actually[/i] hit a nerve. And it fucking hurt like hell. She grimaced, body temperature lowering back to normal. She was still pissed, but now she just wanted to be away from her. There was a bit of guilt there too - she hadn’t thought about Lynn’s family, she hadn’t meant it like that. She shoved that feeling down immediately. No, fuck her. Lynn was the bitch in this situation. Her chest was still heaving up and down, bloodshot eyes wild and angry, but she was fucking exhausted. [color=CD5C5C]”Jinhai was everything to me, but you wouldn’t understand that. Whatever. I don’t give a fuck about you anymore. Fuck off, you’re dead to me.”[/color] [color=F08080]“Likewise,”[/color] Lynn responded as the pain in her face caught her off guard. She tried to pull free again from Lila but her muscles were spent, and she would not be getting free anymore. She mouthed an ‘ow’ as she finally realized the extent of the injury on her face. She wouldn’t need surgery, but she would need to spend the next week making sure it healed well. And that might require a trip to the hospital. Meifeng chuckled again, “... Never have children, you two.” And that hit a nerve for Linqian too. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palm, and glared at Meifeng again. [color=CD5C5C]”... Oh, shut the fuck up!”[/color] She tried to shake off Maximilian, shooting a glare at him. [color=CD5C5C]”I’m done. I won’t hit her again.”[/color] [color=F08080]“Jesus fuck,”[/color] Lynn said as she looked towards Meifeng, “[color=F08080]no one gives a fuck.”[/color] As she finished she was too weak to hold back the tears. She nearly fell backwards but Lila still held her tight. [color=F08080]“Fuck, fuck,”[/color] Lynn whispered as the pain on her cheek began to grow in magnitude and tears began to cover her face. Her mind instantly went to the flask of liquor in her bag, once she was away she would drink it all and then some more. Linqian rolled her eyes when Lynn started sobbing, looking away - and then taking a few steps away so she could just completely ignore it. Fucking shitshow. She couldn't wait to get home and down a bottle of cheap wine, and pretend this never happened.